Friday, July 15, 2011

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2′: Review Revue

The eighth and final chapter in the epic Harry Potter franchise has opened to the public. Director David Yates’s 130-minute swan song to the Boy Who Lived corresponds to the last third of author J.K. Rowling’s seventh book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Much of the film is an extended battle sequence, as Harry, Ron, Hermione and their allies battle the evil Lord Voldemort in a final magical struggle.

Thousands of fans packed theaters at midnight, eager to see the closing moments of the Harry Potter saga. Review aggregator Metacritic.com gives the film an 87 out of 100, the highest ranking for any of the Harry Potter movies. On that site, the last Harry Potter film to receive marks nearly as high was director Alfonso Cuarón’s “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” in 2004. Yates took over directorial control of the series with 2007′s “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”

Read some reviews of the final Harry Potter movie here.

“The final episode of Harry’s epic journey, part 2 of ‘The Deathly Hallows,’ is the best possible end for the series that began a decade ago…It’s a dark and thunderous pageant that sets its bespectacled hero in the midst of vast forces, yet never loses track of who he is—a brave boy, to borrow both parts of Dumbledore’s fond phrase, on the way to becoming a wonderful man.” [Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal]

“For all the movies’ dazzle and flash and Hippogriffs, the characters are more vivid than the special effects. It is our emotional involvement with the three-dimensional heroes and villains, sidekicks and background players that draws us back time after time. The final chapter ends with an epilogue that puts a lump in your throat and makes you want to watch them all again from the beginning. That’s the definition of a classic.” [Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune]

“As film undertakings go, the only thing comparable to the Potter series is ‘Star Wars,’ and everyone knows how poorly that played out. ‘Deathly Hallows Part 2′ sends Harry off into the pop culture pantheon on a thrilling high note. Well played. Well played indeed.” [Tom Long, Detroit News]

“This outing not only doesn’t disappoint; it surpasses high expectations. This is a terrific, smartly designed adolescent adventure, visually rich, narratively satisfying, and bound to resonate for years to come.” [Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe and Mail]